Lynn-Wood's Policy Platform: B.A.S.E
B.A.S.E
My platform stands for representing my constituent B.A.S.E and is an acronym for my views and skills.
B-Budgets
A-Accountability
S-Service
E-Environmental Economics
Please read below for full details.
Missoula Visitor's Tax
Missoula property taxes are too high. It is important to fund schools, infrastructure and our community's safety; however, we can't levy all items through property taxes. I grew-up in Whitefish where a resort tax was passed in 1996 by the city council members working in Helena with legislatures. According to the city of Whitefish, the resort tax has generated more than $45 million in property tax relief and they are using 10% for affordable housing plans.
We need to work with our state representative to allow city visitor tax so we take advantage of the millions of people visiting our Missoula community for music, events and scenery.
City Budget/Save Constituents $
Budgets shows our values as a society and as a community.
One of my biggest roles as a film producer is to create budgets, review budgets and stay with in a budget. This is a quality and skill I am very proud to have and will bring to the city council. There needs to be more clarification for line items under each department in our city's budget. I believe going through each line items spent and updating a new budget is important to make sure we are spending our tax payers money wisely.
Communication & Transparency
I feel that clear communication between city council and our constituents should be stronger. I am pledging to do a debriefing every Tuesday at noon from my campaign through my time on the council via zoom. We can also record it for those who can't make it. Anyone is welcome to join for input and questions.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87693627880?pwd=UWlidVExL3B1SnlYRFJseitDTVkxZz09
Homelessness
Compassion is key. I believe everyone should have a safe place to sleep. I also believe families and community members deserve to feel safe in parks and in their city. I am also aware of the concern around how to pay for these issues.
Right off the bat, I feel Missoula as a municipality needs to structure all the organizations and who they can help into one website. As of now, all of the organizations that can help seemed siloed. My first recommendation is to triage the situation with simpler communication to the community. People don't seem to know where to go or where to send people who need help. There is a difference in strategy between needs for women leaving abusive situations with kids rather than the needs of those with mental and addiction issues and we need to help communicate and organize these resources. I know many organizations in Missoula are working on this and a one-stop website of communication will help with transparency and community understanding around the solutions being implemented.
I also think we are in need of some very out of the box and create solutions like this debit card idea from Seattle that profit shares with a non-profit based off transactions.
Renter rates/housing crisis
I am grateful to live in a community that is really trying to address and resolve this issue. We obviously have a supply demand issue that as more developments get built will help. However, many locals are competing against out of state buyers. I think helping to have a pre approved list of affordable and available homes for those who qualify will help. I also think flexibility and streamlining the building process while still taking into the layout of the land around Missoula will help. I also like the idea of community focused developments with small grocery stores and food options are great and help our environment.
https://www.sightline.org/research/housing-urbanism/
I also very excited about the ADU element that is allowed in Missoula. Not only with this provide more rentals, it can be an extra revenue source for home owners.
https://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/DocumentCenter/View/23204/ADU-Checklist-Fact-Sheet?bidId=
Creative Solutions are already happening in Missoula. This story is a powerful example of outside of the box solutions.
Climate Opportunities/Workforce Development
I believe Missoula could lead the state in climate change solutions that both save citizens money and create competitive jobs. The solar panel opportunities are an amazing example and helpful to combat the NW energy increase that is coming.
https://www.cnet.com/home/energy-and-utilities/montana-solar-panels/
Also, many opportunities coming from the bus service grant:
"Missoula’s bus service is getting $39 million from the federal government to create a new transportation facility. Mountain Line managers said it will also help create an all-electric fleet by 2035.
Missoula’s Mountain Line project includes designing and constructing a new, fully-electric maintenance and administrative base to better its bus services throughout the city. It was one of 130 award recipients announced Monday by the Federal Transit Administration."